Page 7 of Amaris Rejected (Stone Mountain Shifters #2)

Luna Essie Wright

Still Water's Pack

Three Years Ago

Before the Meet-and-Greet

Two Packs BBQ

I watch my only son, Devon, at the pack BBQ with his friends. We invited Alpha and Luna Quinn and their pack, the Moonbeam Pack. We live adjacent to each other, so we often have functions together. The Alpha couple’s only child, Jeni, has been Devon's best friend since childhood. Our families are very close.

Noble, my mate, sits beside me in a lounge chair. "Looks like the kids are having a good time," he remarks. We watch the young folks from both packs gather around the bonfire, laughing and enjoying themselves. Devon has a big personality and is always the life of the party. Jeni sidles up to him and latches onto his arm. He looks at her awkwardly, then smiles and nods. I watch as he takes her hand and pulls it off his arm. After a few seconds, he drops it, turns back to the others, and continues talking. Jeni has always been a bit quieter, just hanging by his side.

"Noble," I say, "I don't think it's right for you and Alpha Quinn to push the kids together. You both believe it would be a good merger for the packs, but I doubt Devon is as interested as Jeni. Look at them out there." I point to the bonfire, where Jeni is once again trying to get Devon's attention by crawling all over him. He sighs heavily and reaches for her hand again, but this time, he doesn't even glance at her as he pulls away from her grip. "Oh, Essie," Alpha Noble says, "he'll come around. You can see she's crazy about him. They’re both young. She’s a beautiful female and will make a fine Luna."

"Noble, look at how she clings to him while he keeps pushing her away. I know he cares for her as a friend, but that’s where it ends. It’s painful to witness. She’ll never make him happy."

Noble shakes his head. "My mind's made up, Essie. He can do this for the good of the pack. She’ll be a good Luna for him, and they’ll have strong pups!"

“I disagree,” I argue. “Jeni doesn’t have what it takes to lead the packs with Devon. She’s selfish and too hyper-focused on getting what she wants no matter how anyone else feels. Just see how she clings to Devon, demanding his attention without caring for his discomfort. She treats him like he’s an object to claim.”

“Now, Essie…”

"No. I refuse to force Devon to mate with her. Going against the moon goddess and not waiting for your fated mate is a mistake. We are fated mates. Would you really deny your son that happiness?" I hiss. "There’s a Meet-and-Greet for unmated shifters coming up in a few months, south of here at the Sunset Shores Pack. I insist that these kids get to go; there’s a chance they can find their fated mates. We don't need them to mate with each other to maintain our strong relationships."

"I'll talk to Alpha Quinn," he acquiesces, gently patting her knee with a sigh. "It wouldn't hurt to let them attend one Meet-and-Greet. But once they return, they get engaged! Will that make you happy?" he snarls slightly.

"Yes, it will," I agree. But if they find their mates, an engagement is off the table. I keep the last part to myself, forcing the thought to remain in my head.